SuccSeed - Blossfeldia, Parodia & other with small seeds

Blossfeldia, Parodia & other with small seeds

Sowing cacti with tiny seeds

Sowing tiny cactus seeds is not that difficult, if you use the correct method. Looking at the dust-like seeds, well then you might think it is an impossible task to germinate them. All you need is some patience as they usually grow very slowly the first year. My suggestion is to germinate the seeds in a small glass- or plastic jar. This method is very simple and you don't need to water them for several months, if correctly sealed. Just check now and then that the soil mix has not dried out and remove algae if needed.

The method is called the Fleischer method, which is a clean glass- or plastic jar (appr. 5-10cm high) which we fill half up with a soil mix. I use 1/3 humus and 2/3 minerals (lava gravel, perlite, sand/grit in size 2-5 mm). To prevent algae, first of all try to "sterilize" the wet soil mix by microwave the it on high for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

When the substrate is cool, put the seeds on top of the surface and cover the jar with some transparent plastic and a rubber band. It is important that it is sealed in a proper way so the humidity stays in the jar.

Place the jar under artificial lighting (eg LED) or on the window sill. The seeds will probably germinate within a couple of weeks but never remove the cover. They will do well in the humid environment and you just need to look after them now and then to see that the soil mix still is humid. Keep them in the jar for 6-18 months before you replant them, or when you think they are big enough to survive with less humidity. After replanting, keep them in semi-shade and keep the soil-mix humid all the time. At least this is how I grow my small seedlings of Parodia, Blossfeldia, Aztekium, Strombocactus etc.

The slow growing or more tender species could be grafted when appr 5 mm across. This is described below.

Fig.1 Blossfeldia - some algae on the surface, but so far no problem for the plants
Fig.2 Parodia - small seedlings, soon ready to be replant

Parodia - små fröplantor snart redo att skolas om

Grafting small seedlings

I recommend to graft some species that grow very slowly or is difficult on own roots. Or just for fun, an experiment to see how fast they can grow!

As grafting stock many recommends Pereskiopsis. It grows very fast with its round slender stems with green leaves. Unfortunately it prefer a warm winter and not below 12 C. They are easily propagated and can grow a meter in a year if given a big pot, a lot of water and fertilizer. You will soon have dozens of plants for grafting.

Personally, as I have a cold greenhouse in winter, sometimes down to zero C, I use Trichocereus pachanoi/peruvianus. They are very robust, easy to handle and take the cold without problem.

Be careful to have a grafting stock that is in good shape, growing and recently given water. A dehydrated stock should not be used and the seedling might dry out.

Use a desinfected scalpel or very sharp knife to cut the top of the stock. I personally like a rather short stock so I later can hide it in the pot with some extra grit and sand.

Fig.1 The stock has been cut carefully and the ribs cut in angle (beveling). Place the seedling asymmetrically (uncentrered) on the root stock so that the two vascular cambiums cross.
Fig.2 Place thin plastic above the seedling and the stock. Secure it carefully with a rubber band.

If you use a Trichocereus or a similar robust root stock, cut the ribs a bit, in an angle (beveling). This can increase the health of the seedling by restricting the edges of the rootstock from interacting with the scion. It will also make it more easy to put the plastic on and to make a good pressure towards the stock.

After cutting the top of the root stock, be sure it stays clean. This is done by slicing a very thin part of the top and keep it there until you have prepared the small seedling. Be sure you make the cut horizontally and with no angle, this makes it more easy to keep the tiny seedling in place without sliding around on the slimy surface!

Choose a healthy seedling. Slice it carefully without pressure. Place it asymmetrically (uncentrered) on the root stock so that the two vascular cambiums cross. This is not so easily done so have patience ...

Then place thin transparent plastic above the seedling and the stock. Secure it carefully with a rubber band. Give it some pressure while securing the rubber band. Put some tiny holes in the plastic with a needle. The seedling might slide away a bit but place it as described above. If not given enough pressure towards the stock, it might dry out. This is probably the most tricky but most important part of grafting!

Place the grafted plant in a shaded place. It should NOT have any direct sun, this might cause the seedling to dry out and grafting to fail. Let stay so for 2 weeks. Remove the plastic and water as normal, but no direct sun and not too hot for some weeks.

Fig.1 Six month old Blossfeldia, grafted on Trichocereus. This example shows three seedlings grafted on the same root stock!
Fig.2 Same plants a few years later, showing the first buds!

Fig.1 Parodia gibbulosoides MN 478 after 7 months, appr 5 mm across. Already nice spination!
Fig.2 Same plant two years later ... first flowers on this tricky species!